Bob Latshaw

Who is Bob Latshaw?

Robert Eugene Latshaw was a long-time minor league baseball first baseman and manager who also played with the Baltimore Bullets in the American Basketball League in 1945.

Latshaw made his professional baseball debut in 1935 at the age of 18. He spent 20 seasons in the league, playing in 1,746 games. Though his career average is unknown, he hit approximately .288. Not a power hitter, Latshaw still managed to surpass the ten home run mark six times and the 15 home run mark thrice. He hit as many as 19 in a season.

Latshaw served as a player-manager from 1947 to 1954. Though he managed in eight seasons, he only managed a full season three times. He began his managerial career with the Richmond Colts, who despite finishing 68–71 went to the playoffs and lost in the first round. He managed the Danville Leafs but replacing Woody Fair in 1948, heading to the Wilson Tobs to replace Irv Dickens later that year. He managed the Galax Leafs in 1949, replacing Stephen Sloboda. In 1950, he managed the Granby Red Sox, but was replaced by Bud Kimball from August 10 to August 20.

Latshaw managed the Danville Leafs for the full season in 1951. He was the Augusta Tigers manager to start the 1952 season, but was replaced by Burl Storie. Later that year, he managed the Leesburg Packers, replacing John Pawlick. He managed the Superior Blues for all of 1953. In 1954, he led the Madisonville Miners until being replaced by William Close.